The Trump administration is pressing European governments to impose tougher travel restrictions on people arriving from Ebola-affected African countries, arguing that stronger measures are needed to prevent the virus from spreading internationally as millions of visitors travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The diplomatic push marks an escalation in Washington’s response to an Ebola outbreak centred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, two countries battling the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio raised the issue during a call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, as Washington sought closer coordination with European allies on containing the outbreak.
According to the U.S. State Department, Rubio and von der Leyen discussed efforts to prevent the spread of Ebola and strengthen cooperation between the United States and Europe.
“The Department’s highest priority and focus remain protecting the health of the American people and preventing this Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a readout of the call.
